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Kathi Heffner, PhD

Kathi Heffner, PhD

(Pronouns: she/her/hers)
  • Associate Chief of Research, URMC Division of Geriatrics and Aging
  • Director, Elaine C. Hubbard Center for Nursing Research on Aging
  • Professor of Nursing, Medicine, and Psychiatry

Education

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psychoneuroimmunology, 2003. The Ohio State University. Columbus, OH
  • PhD in Social Psychology, 2001. University of Nevada. Reno, NV
  • BA in Psychology, 1994. State University of New York at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY

Bio

Kathi Heffner joined the School of Nursing faculty in 2016 after eight years as a faculty member in the UR Department of Psychiatry, where she maintains a secondary appointment. Heffner is also the associate chief of research for the Division of Geriatrics & Aging in the Department of Medicine, supporting multidisciplinary aging research within the division and across the University of Rochester.

Heffner's research centers on how psychosocial and behavioral factors affect physiological stress adaptation and the immune system. In particular, she is interested in the implications of stress for healthy aging; the influence of sleep on stress physiology and clinical symptoms, including chronic pain and trauma-related symptomatology; and the role of social relationships in stress and health links. Her work has been supported by multiple organizational, NIH and other federally funded grants.

Over the course of her career, her research has evolved from a primary focus on human laboratory experiments to a complementary emphasis on clinical behavioral intervention trials. That approach has led to multidisciplinary collaborations with expert clinician researchers, including nurses, psychologists, physicians, and geriatricians, contributing to a better understanding of the basic mechanisms of stress and health, with the potential for immediate translation to clinical intervention.


Current Focus

My interests in stress and healthy aging have led to a current focus on finding ways to promote well-being and immune health in caregivers of a family member with dementia. In multiple clinical trials, we aim to understand whether and how behavioral interventions -- like cognitive training, mindfulness training, and social connection coaching -- can help foster resilience and emotional well-being in stressed and burdened family caregivers.  

In addition, I and my collaborators are investigating the impact of behavioral sleep interventions on management of insomnia and its comorbidities, including chronic pain, depression, and trauma-associated stress. I am particularly interested in the role of inflammation in pathways linking poor sleep to these clinical outcomes, and the impact of sleep intervention generally on older adults' resilience and quality of life.


Professional Experience

Professor,
University of Rochester, School of Nursing (Primary Appointment), Rochester, NY, US. 2022 - Current

Professor, Associate Chief of Research,
University of Rochester, Division of Geriatrics & Aging, Department of Medicine (Secondary Appointment), Rochester, NY, US. 2018 - Current

Professor,
University of Rochester, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Dentistry (Secondary Appointment), Rochester, NY, US. 2016 - Current

Associate Professor,
University of Rochester, School of Nursing (Primary Appointment), Rochester, NY, US. 2016 - Current

Associate Professor,
University of Rochester, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Dentistry (Primary Appointment), Rochester, NY, US. 2014 - 2016

Assistant Professor,
University of Rochester, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Dentistry (Primary Appointment), Rochester, NY, US. 2008 - 2014

Adjunct Professor,
Ohio University, Department of Psychology, Athens, OH, US. 2008 - 2010

Assistant Professor,
Ohio University, Department of Psychology, Athens, OH, US. 2003 - 2008

The Ohio State University (NIH/NIMH, T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psychoneuroimmunology), Columbus, OH, US. 2001 - 2003

Awards

Marie C. Wilson and Joseph C. Wilson Endowed Professorship (termed)
University of Rochester, 2021

Selected participant, Career Engagement, Revitalization, and Engagement
Office for Faculty Development, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 2020

Division of Geriatrics & Aging Research Award
School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Cente, 2019

Terry Family Research Endowed Fund Award
University of Rochester, School of Nursing, 2017

Selected Scholar, Research Group
Tideswell UCSF Emerging Leaders in Aging Program, 2017

Elaine C. Hubbard Center for Nursing Research on Aging Endowed Award
University of Rochester, School of Nursing, 2017

W.G. Stuber Research Fellowship Award
University of Rochester, 2015

Selected cohort member, Women's Leadership Program
University of Rochester, 2014

Excellence in Research Incentive Program Award
University of Rochester, 2013

Collier Research Award, First Place
University of Rochester, 2009

Citation Poster, Annual Meeting
American Psychosomatic Society, 2009

Citation Poster, Annual Meeting
American Psychosomatic Society, 2008

Invitation and Honorarium, Psychological Scientists Workshop
National Institute on Aging, 2008

International Travel Award
Ohio University, 2006

Faculty Development Award
Ohio University, 2005

Presentations

Presidential Panel Discussion: Adapting and Evolving Our Methods in Intervention Development for Older Adults: Lessons Learned from the Global Pandemic
J. Hughes, H. Derry
2022 Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting, Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2022
Baltimore, Maryland

Inclusion and Retention of Older Adults in Behavioral Medicine Clinical Trials: Why and How?
Society of Behavioral Medicine 2021 Pre-Conference Course, Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2021


Online, Computerized Brain Training to Promote Stress Adaptation and Immune Health in Caregivers of a Family Member with Dementia: Rationale and Engagement Data from an Ongoing Clinical Trial
2021 Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting, Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2021
(virtual)

Considerations for Inclusion and Retention of Family Caregivers in Clinical Research
2021 Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting, Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2021


The Rochester Roybal Center for Social Ties and Aging Research
2020 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Gerontological Society of America, 2020
(virtual)

Slow Wave Sleep and Pain After Behavioral Insomnia Treatment in Adults Over Age 50 with Knee Osteoarthritis
2019 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Gerontological Society of America, 2019


Insomnia treatment in adults over age 50 with osteoarthritis pain: Effects on physical function and quality of life
Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting, Gerontological Society of America, 2018
Boston, Massachusetts

Fluid cognitive abilities and autonomic and affective response to acute stressors in older adults
2017 World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics, International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 2017


Sleep improvement in older adults with osteoarthritis is associated with lower inflammatory response to laboratory pain and improved clinical pain
Annual Meeting of the Psychoneuroimmunological Research Society, Psychoneuroimmunological Research Society, 2016
Brighton, United Kingdom

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia for survivors of interpersonal violence who subsequently receive cognitive processing therapy
29th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, 2015


Sleep quality moderates the stress buffering effects of social support on salivary alpha amylase levels
Annual Meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society, 2014


The Influence of Sleep Quality on the Stress Buffering Effects of Social Connectedness
The Next Frontier in Social Support and Health Research: Clarifying the Micro-Level Mechanisms, Society for Personality and Social Psychology Annual Meeting, 2014


Mind-Body Relationships: Implications for Wound Healing
The Wounded Psyche: The Brain-Wound Continuum, The Wounded Psyche: The Brain-Wound Continuum, 2012


Pain in older men is associated with interleukin (IL)-6 change across time following a mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention
Annual Meeting of the Associated Psychoneuroimmunological Research Society, 2011


Depression and objectively measured physical activity in US older adults
The American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting, 2010


Autonomic Cardiac Control and Relationships to Negative Affect, Neuroendocrine, and Inflammatory Responses to Acute Stress
Sweating the Small Stuff? Emotion, Stress and Health in Everyday Life, American Psychosomatic Society Annual Meeting, 2010


Aging Stereotype Effects on Physiological Reactivity to Cognitive Tasks
Emerging Perspectives in the Social and Affective Neuroscience of Aging, National Institute on Aging (NIA)-Sponsored Symposium, 2006


Publications

  • Heffner, K.L. (2024). Caring about the Family Caregiver: A Mentored Journey Building on the Legacy of Janice Kiecolt-Glaser’s Pioneering Research on Caregivers’ Immune Health. Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology. DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2024.100259

  • Wang, Y., Turnbull, A., Xu, Y., Heffner, K., Lin, F.V. & Adeli, E. (2024). Vision-based estimation of fatigue and engagement in cognitive training sessions. Artificial Intelligence in Medicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.artmed.2024.102923

  • Hamilton, N.A., Russell, J.A., Youngren, W.A., Gallegos, A.M., Crean, H.F., Cerulli, C., Bishop, T.M., Hamadah, K., Schulte, M., Pigeon, W.R., & Heffner, K.L. (2023). Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia treatment attrition in patients with weekly nightmares. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 19 (11), 1913-1921. PMID: 37421316 PMCID: PMC10620662 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.10710

  • Quiñones, M.M., Sörensen, S., Hepburn, K., Capellan, J., & Heffner, K.L (2023). Community-Engaged Research With Latino Dementia Caregivers: Overcoming Challenges in Community Advisory Board Development. Gerontologist, 64 (5). PMID: 37878811 PMCID: PMC11020250 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnad144

  • Wang, J., Shen, J.Y., Conwell, Y., Yu, F., Nathan, K., Heffner, K.L., Li, Y., & Caprio, T.V. (2023). Antipsychotic use among older patients with dementia receiving home health care services: Prevalence, predictors, and outcomes. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. PMID: 37671461 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18555

  • Lin, F.V., & Heffner, K.L. (2023). Autonomic nervous system flexibility for understanding brain aging. Ageing Research Reviews, 90. PMID: 37459967 PMCID: PMC10530154 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102016

  • Quiñones, M.M., Silva, C., Ross, C., Sörensen, S., Serrano, R., Van Orden, K., & Heffner, K (2023). Recruiting Socially Disconnected Latinos Caring for a Person with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned. Clinical Gerontologist. PMID: 37005703 PMCID: PMC10542654 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2023.2197895

  • Turnbull, A., Anthony, M., Tadin, D., Porsteinsson, A.P., Heffner, K., & Lin, F.V (2023). Effect of online tDCS to left somatomotor cortex on neuropsychiatric symptoms among older adults at risk for dementia. Cortex, 159, 131-141. PMID: 36623419 PMCID: PMC9931675 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2022.10.015

  • Wang, J., Cheng, Z., Kim, Y., Yu, F., Heffner, K.L., Quiñones-Cordero, M.M., & Li, Y. (2022). Pain and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia Spectrum in Community-Dwelling Older Americans: A Nationally Representative Study. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 63 (5), 654-664. PMID: 35081442 PMCID: PMC9035327 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.01.012

  • Li, J.Y., Wu, H., Yuan, S., Wang, C., Wang, Q., Zhong, Y., Zhang, N., Heffner, K., & Fox, P.T. (2022). A meta-analysis on neural changes of cognitive training for mental disorders in executive function tasks: increase or decrease brain activation?. BMC Psychiatry, 22 (1). PMID: 35232404 PMCID: PMC8886766 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-03796-4

  • Pigeon, W.R., Crean, H.F., Cerulli, C., Gallegos, A.M., Bishop, T.M., & Heffner, K.L. (2022). A Randomized Clinical Trial of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia to Augment Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment in Survivors of Interpersonal Violence. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 91 (1), 50-62. PMID: 34265777 PMCID: PMC8760360 DOI: 10.1159/000517862

  • Van Orden, K.A., Heffner, K.L. (2022). Promoting Social Connection in Dementia Caregivers: A Call for Empirical Development of Targeted Interventions. Gerontologist, 62 (9), 1258-1265. PMID: 35235943 PMCID: PMC9579462 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnac032

  • Lin, F.V., Heffner, K., Gevirtz, R., Zhang, Z., Tadin, D., & Porsteinsson, A. (2021). Targeting autonomic flexibility to enhance cognitive training outcomes in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 22 (1). PMID: 34425878 PMCID: PMC8381519 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05530-z

  • Heffner, K. L., Quiñones, M. M.*, Gallegos, A. M., Crean, H. F., Lin, F. V., & Suhr, J. A. (2021). Subjective memory in adults over 50 years of age: associations with affective and physiological markers of emotion regulation. Aging and Mental Health. PMID: 33784222 PMCID: PMC8647182 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2021.1904829

  • Chen, Q., Yang, H., Rooks, B., Anthony, M., Zhang, Z., Tadin, D., Heffner, K. L., & Lin, F. V. (2020). Autonomic flexibility reflects learning and associated neuroplasticity in old age. Human Brain Mapping. PMID: 32510759 PMCID: PMC7416041 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25034

  • Gallegos, A. M., Heffner, K. L., Cerulli, C., Luck, P., McGuiness, S., & Pigeon, W. R. (2020). Effects of mindfulness training on posttraumatic stress symptoms from a community-based pilot clinical trial among survivors of intimate partner violence.. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. PMID: 32969703 PMCID: PMC8052636 DOI: 10.1037/tra0000975

  • Kong, J., Xu, H., Ji, X., Zhang, J., Yang, H., Zhang, Y., Heffner, K.L., Wang, C., & Zhang, N. (2020). Attribution Retraining Group Therapy and SSRIs Affect Differing Facets of Anxiety Among Chinese Patients with Various Diagnoses: A Single-Center, Prospective Study. Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 30 (2), 97-106. DOI: 10.5455/PCP.20200530013456

  • Anderson, A., McDermott, K., Rooks, B., Heffner, K. L., Dodell-Feder, D., & Lin, F. V (2020). Decoding individual identity from brain activity elicited in imagining common experiences. Nature Communications, 11 (1). PMID: 33219210 PMCID: PMC7679397 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19630-y

  • Quiñones, M. M.*, Gallegos, A. M., Lin, F. V., & Heffner, K. L (2020). Dysregulation of inflammation, neurobiology, and cognitive function in PTSD: an integrative review. Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience, 20 (3), 455-480. PMID: 32170605 PMCID: PMC7682894 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-020-00782-9

  • Gallegos, A.M., Heffner, K.L., Cerulli, C., Luck, P., McGuinness, S., & Pigeon, W.R. (2020). Effects of mindfulness training on posttraumatic stress symptoms from a community-based pilot clinical trial among survivors of intimate partner violence.. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. PMID: 32969703 PMCID: PMC8052636 DOI: 10.1037/tra0000975

  • Lin F.V., Tao Y., Chen Q.J., Anthony M., Zhang Z.W., Tadin D., & Heffner K.L. (2020). Processing speed and attention training modifies autonomic flexibility: A mechanistic intervention study. Neuroimage, 213. PMID: 32165263 PMCID: PMC7165056 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116730

  • Wang X., Heffner K.L., Anthony M., & Lin F. (2019). Stress adaptation in older adults with and without cognitive impairment: an fMRI pattern-based similarity analysis. AGING-US, 11 (17), 6792-6804. PMID: 31480017 PMCID: PMC6756885 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102204

  • Peoples, A.R., Garland, S.N., Pigeon, W.R., Perlis, M.L., Wolf, J.R., Heffner, K.L., Mustian, K.M., Heckler, C.E., Peppone, L.J., Kamen, C.S., Morrow, G.R., & Roscoe, J.A. (2019). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Reduces Depression in Cancer Survivors. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. PMID: 30621831 PMCID: PMC6329536 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.7586

  • Li, Y. I., Cerulli, C., Heffner, K. L., Crean, H. F., Bishop, T. M., & Pigeon, W. R. (2019). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for insomnia in PTSD: Differential relationships with symptom C=clusters. Sleep, 42 (1), A354. DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsz067.879

  • Elliot, A. J., Heffner, K. L., Mooney, C. J., Moynihan, J. A., & Chapman, B. P. (2018). Social Relationships and Inflammatory Markers in the MIDUS Cohort: The Role of Age and Gender Differences. Journal of Aging and Health, 30 (6), 904-923. PMID: 28553813 DOI: 10.1177/0898264317698551

  • Heffner K.L., France C.R., Ashrafioun L., Quiñones M., Walsh P., Maloney M.D., Giordano B.D., & Pigeon W.R. (2018). Clinical pain-related outcomes and inflammatory cytokine response to pain following insomnia improvement in adults With knee osteoarthritis. The Clinical Journal of Pain. PMID: 30134281 PMCID: PMC6219931 DOI: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000644

  • Li, J., Zhang, J., Yang, H., Zhang, N., Zhang, Y., Heffner, K.L., & Wan, C. (2018). Differential change in depressive symptoms during psychotherapy and medication in clinical care. NeuroQuantology, 16 (12), 1-9. DOI: 10.14704/nq.2018.16.12.1860

  • Gallegos, A. M., Crean, H. F., Pigeon, W. R., & Heffner, K. L. (2017). Meditation and yoga for posttraumatic stress disorder: A meta-analytic review of randomized controlled trials. Clinical Psychology Review, 58, 115-124. PMID: 29100863 PMCID: PMC5939561 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2017.10.004

  • Lin F., Heffner K.L., Ren P., & Tadin D. (2017). A role of the parasympathetic nervous system in cognitive training. Curr Alzheimer Res. PMID: 28164771 PMCID: PMC5530077 DOI: 10.2174/1567205014666170203095128

  • Lin, F., Rn, P., Wang, X., Anthony, M., Tadin, D., & Heffner, K.L. (2017). Cortical thickness is associated with altered autonomic function in cognitively impaired and non-impaired older adults. The Journal of Physiology. PMID: 28952161 PMCID: PMC5685832 DOI: 10.1113/JP274714

  • Ren, P., Heffner, K.L., Jacobs, A., & Lin, F. (2017). Acute Affective Reactivity and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Functional MRI Study [epub ahead of print]. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. PMID: 28755988 PMCID: PMC5654660 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2017.06.019

  • Ren, P., Anthony, M., Chapman, B.P., Heffner, K., & Lin, F. (2017). Amygdala functional connectivity is associated with locus of control in the context of cognitive aging. Neuropsychologica. PMID: 28315366 PMCID: PMC5404937 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2017.03.016

  • Heffner, K. L., Crean, H. F., & Kemp, J. E. (2016). Meditation programs for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: Aggregate findings from a multi-site evaluation. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. PMID: 26752098 DOI: 10.1037/tra0000106

  • Lin, F., Ren, P., Cotton, K., Porsteinsson, A., Mapstone, M. & Heffner, K. L. (2016). Mental fatigability and heart rate variability in mild cognitive impairment. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. PMID: 26905050 PMCID: PMC4846469 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2015.12.012

  • Lin, F., Heffner, K., Ren, P., Tivarus, M., Brasch, J., Chen, D., Mapstone, M., Porsteinsson, A., & Tadin D. (2016). Cognitive and neural effects of vision-based speed of processing training in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment: A pilot study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. PMID: 27321608 PMCID: PMC4916855 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.14132

  • Lin, F., Heffner, K.L., Ren, P., Tivarus, M.E., Brasch, J., Chen, D.G., Mapstone, M., Porsteinsson, A.P., & Tadin, D. (2016). Cognitive and Neural Effects of Vision-Based Speed-of-Processing Training in Older Adults with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study.. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. PMID: 27321608 PMCID: PMC4916855 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.14132

  • Pigeon, W. R., Heffner, K. L., Crean, H. F., Gallegos, A. M., Walsh, P., Seehuus, M., & Cerulli, C. (2015). Responding to the need for sleep among survivors of interpersonal violence: A randomized controlled trial of a cognitive-behavioral insomnia intervention followed by PTSD treatment. Contemporary Clinical Trials. PMID: 26343743 PMCID: PMC4675039 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2015.08.019

  • Devereux, P.G., Heffner, K.L., Doane, M.J., Gosser, B., & Nolan, M. (2015). Identifying attentional deployment tactics in older adults narratives about emotionally upsetting events. Journal of Health Psychology. DOI: 10.1177/13591053155734

  • Heffner, K. L., Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., Glaser, R., Malarkey, W. B., & Marshall, G.D. (2014). Stress and anxiety effects on positive skin test responses in young adults with allergic rhinitis. Annals of Allergy and Immunology. PMID: 24726195 PMCID: PMC4131846 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2014.03.008

  • Lin, F., Heffner, K. L., Mapstone, M., Chen, D.G., & Porsteinsson, A. (2014). Frequency of mentally stimulating activities modifies the relationship between cardiovascular reactivity and executive function in old age. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. PMID: 23891367 PMCID: PMC3900591 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2013.04.002

  • Lin. F., Roiland, R., Heffner, K., Johnson, M., Chen, D.G., & Mapstone, M. (2014). Evaluation of objective and perceived mental fatigability in older adults with vascular risk. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. PMID: 24840140 PMCID: PMC4033905 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2014.04.001

  • Lin, F., Suhr, J., Diebold, S., & Heffner, K. L. (2014). Associations between depressive symptoms and memory deficits vary as a function of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) levels in healthy older adults. Psychoneuroendocrinology. PMID: 24636508 PMCID: PMC3996826 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.01.006

  • Heffner, K.L., Devereux, P.G., Ng, M.H., Borchardt, A.R., & Quigley, K.S. (2013). Older adults hemodynamic responses to an acute emotional stressor: short report. Experimental Aging Research. PMID: 23421637 PMCID: PMC4548932 DOI: 10.1080/0361073X.2013.761547

  • Heffner, K.L. (2013). Nighttime sleep and daytime stress - Tangled bedfellows: A comment on Williams et al.. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 46 (1), 7-8. PMID: 23591695 DOI: 10.1007/s12160-013-9502-x

  • Moynihan, J. A., Heffner, K. L., Caserta, M. T., & O'Connor, T. G. (2013). Stress and Immune Function in Humans: A Life-Course Perspective. The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Psychoneuroimmunology, 251-265. DOI: 10.1002/9781118314814.ch13

  • Poleshuck, E.L., Talbot, N.L., Moynihan, J.A., Chapman, B.P., & Heffner, K.L. (2013). Depressive symptoms, pain, chronic medical morbidity, and interleukin-6 among primary care patients. Pain Medicine. PMID: 23691936 PMCID: PMC5665657 DOI: 10.1111/pme.12089

  • Heffner, K.L., Ng, H.M., Suhr, J A., France, C.R, Marshall, G.D., Pigeon, W.R., & Moynihan, J.A. (2012). Sleep disturbance and older adults inflammatory responses to acute stress. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. PMID: 22327621 PMCID: PMC3588882 DOI: 10.1097/JGP.0b013e31824361de

  • Rethhorst, C., Moynihan, J., Lyness, J., Heffner, K.L., & Chapman, B. (2011). Moderating effects of moderate-intensity physical activity in the relationship between depressive symptoms and interleukin-6 in primary care patients. Psychosomatic Medicine. PMID: 21364200 PMCID: PMC3775592 DOI: 10.1097/PSY.0b013e3182108412

  • Pigeon, W.R., Heffner, K., Duberstein, P., Fiscella, K., Moynihan, J., & Chapman, B.P. (2011). Elevated sleep disturbance among blacks in an urban family medicine practice. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. PMID: 21383215 PMCID: PMC3132076 DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2011.02.100028

  • Heffner, K.L., France, C.R., Trost, Z., Ng, H. M., & Pigeon, W.R. (2011). Chronic low back pain, sleep disturbance, and interleukin-6. Clinical Journal of Pain. PMID: 21188850 PMCID: PMC3058637 DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0b013e3181eef761

  • Heffner, K. L. (2011). Neuroendocrine effects of stress on immunity in the elderly: Implications for inflammatory disease. Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America. PMID: 21094926 PMCID: PMC2989743 DOI: 10.1016/j.iac.2010.09.005

  • Heffner, K.L., Waring, M.E., Roberts, M.B., Eaton, C.B., & Gramling, R. (2011). Social isolation, C-reactive protein, and coronary heart disease mortality among community dwelling adults. Social Science and Medicine. PMID: 21492978 PMCID: PMC3090468 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.03.016

  • Suhr, J.A., Patterson, S.M., Austin, A.W., & Heffner, K.L. (2010). The relation of hydration status to declarative memory and working memory in older adults. The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging. PMID: 21125202 DOI: 10.1007/s12603-010-0108-8

  • Gramling, R., Heffner, K.L., Klein, W.M.P., Zajac, L.E., Roberts, M., & Eaton, C.B. (2010). Is the association between optimistic cardiovascular risk perceptions and lower rates of cardiovascular disease mortality explained by biomarkers of systemic inflammation or endothelial function? A case-cohort study. BioPsychoSocial Medicine. PMID: 20858244 PMCID: PMC2949755 DOI: 10.1186/1751-0759-4-11

  • Kiecolt-Glaser, J.K., Heffner, K.L., Glaser, R., Malarkey, W.B., Porter, K., Atkinson, C., Laskowski, B.S., Lemeshow, S., & Marshall, G.M. (2009). How stress and anxiety can alter immediate and late phase skin test responses in allergic rhinitis. Psychoneuroendocrinology. PMID: 19150180 PMCID: PMC2819057 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.11.010

  • Suhr, J., Demireva, P., & Heffner, K. (2008). The relation of salivary cortisol to patterns of performance on a word list learning task in healthy older adults. Psychoneuroendocrinology. PMID: 18774653 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.07.007

  • Heffner, K.L., Loving, T.J., Kiecolt-Glaser, J.K., Himawan, L.K., Glaser, R., & Malarkey, W.M. (2006). Older spouses cortisol responses to marital conflict: Associations with demand/withdraw communication patterns. Journal of Behavioral Medicin. PMID: 16786411 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-006-9058-3

  • McGuire, L., Heffner, K., Glaser, R., Needleman, B., Malarkey, W., Dickinson, S., Lemeshow, S., Cook, C., Muscarella, P., Melvin, W., Ellison, E., & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. (2006). Pain and wound healing in surgical patients. Annals of Behavioral Medicine. PMID: 16542131 DOI: 10.1207/s15324796abm3102_8

  • Loving, T.J., Heffner, K.L., Kiecolt-Glaser, J.K., Glaser, R., & Malarkey, W.B. (2004). Stress hormone changes and marital conflict: Spouses relative power makes a difference. Journal of Marriage and Family. DOI: 10.1111/j.0022-2445.2004.00040.x

  • Heffner, K. L., Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., Loving, T.J., Glaser, R., & Malarkey, W. B. (2004). Spousal support satisfaction as a modifier of physiological responses to marital conflict in younger and older couples. Journal of Behavioral Medicine. PMID: 15259454 DOI: 10.1023/b:jobm.0000028497.79129.ad

  • Heffner, K. L., Loving, T. J., Robles, T., & Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (2003). Examining psychosocial factors related to cancer incidence and progression: In search of the silver lining. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. PMID: 12615195 DOI: 10.1016/s0889-1591(02)00076-4

  • Heffner, K.L., Ginsburg, G.P., & Hartley, T.R. (2002). Appraisals and impression management opportunities: Person and situation influences on cardiovascular reactivity. International Journal of Psychophysiology. PMID: 11909648 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8760(01)00200-8

  • Kiecolt-Glaser, J.K., Robles, T.R., Heffner, K.L., Loving, T.J. & Glaser, R. (2002). Psycho-oncology and cancer: Psychoneuroimmunology and cancer. Annals of Oncology. PMID: 12401684 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdf655

  • Hartley, T.R., Ginsburg, G.P., & Heffner, K. (1999). Self-presentation and cardiovascular reactivity. International Journal of Psychophysiology. PMID: 10192010 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8760(99)00003-3

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